Geographic
distribution California Glottolog pala1350 | Subdivisions Atsugewi
Achumawi | |
Linguistic classification Hokan ?
Shasta–Palaihnihan
Palaihnih | ||
Palaihnihan (also Palaihnih) is a language family of northeastern California. It consists of two closely related languages:
Contents
- Atsugewi (†)
- Achumawi (a.k.a. Achomawi, Pit River Indian)
Reconstructions
The original reconstruction of proto-Palaihnihan suffered from poor quality data. David Olmsted's dictionary depends almost entirely upon de Angulo, who did not record the phonological distinctions consistently or well, and carelessly includes Pomo vocabulary from a manuscript in which he (de Angulo) set out to demonstrate that Achumawi and Pomo are not related. William Bright has also pointed out problems with Olmsted's methods of reconstruction. The reconstruction is being refined with newer data.
Genetic relations
The Palaihnihan family is often connected with the hypothetical Hokan stock. Proposed special relationships within Hokan include Palaihnihan with Shastan (known as Shasta-Achomawi) and within a Kahi sub-group (a.k.a. Northern Hokan) with Shastan, Chimariko, and Karuk.